Jacob Zuma formally asks Zondo to recuse himself when he appears at State Capture Commission

Former president Jacob Zuma seated at the witness table during his apprearance at the Zondo Commission in July 2019. Picture: Karen Sandison/African News Agency (ANA)

Former president Jacob Zuma seated at the witness table during his apprearance at the Zondo Commission in July 2019. Picture: Karen Sandison/African News Agency (ANA)

Published Sep 28, 2020

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Durban - Former president Jacob Zuma has asked Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to recuse himself when he appears before the State Capture Commission in November.

In his formal notification to the commission about the request which was first reported by The Star, Zuma told Zondo that he appeared to harbour a personal vendetta against him and as such, he has presented him to the public as some who is not cooperative.

Zuma said while he had reservations about the legality of the commission, out of respect for the country’s systems he nonetheless presented himself.

He says that instead of being given a fair hearing, he had been subjected to unfair treatment that was meant to humiliate him.

The allegations are contained in a letter written by Advocate Eric Mabuza on Zuma’s behalf.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Picture: Nhlanhla Phillips/African News Agency (ANA)

In the letter, Zuma referred to Zondo’s press conference last Monday, where the commission chairperson said Zuma must appear before the commission from November 16 to 20, to answer to allegations of state capture.

Zuma said this special focus and “targeting” of him had been the hallmark of the commission’s approach since it commenced with its proceedings.

“As a result, (former) president Zuma views the recent media briefing as a culmination of a series of events by which he was singled out and targeted by the commission,” reads the letter.

Moreover, Zuma said he was not convinced that Zondo can give him a fair hearing should he continue to preside over his appearance.

“For the reasons to be fully set out in the application to be made soon, we (the lawyers) are instructed (by Zuma) to seek your recusal as chairperson of the commission on the ground that our client reasonably apprehends that you have already adopted a biased disposition towards him and cannot bring an impartial mind to the issues and evidence that relate to him.

“(Former) president Zuma’s conclusion that the chairperson is no longer capable of exercising an independent and impartial mind is fortified by what he views as the unwarranted public statements made by the chairperson at the said media briefing.”

REASONS

In setting out the reasons why Zuma believed Zondo should step aside when he appears in November, he said the pair had personal history and it was likely, he claimed, that Zondo would use the commission to settle old scores.

“(Former) President Zuma believes that the source of the chairperson’s bias against him stems from the fact that the (former) president and the chairperson have historical personal, family and professional relations that ought to have been publicly disclosed by the chairperson before accepting his appointment.”

On Sunday, Independent Media’s politics desk reached out to the spokesperson of the commission Reverend Mbuyiselo Stemela to comment.

Stemela said Zondo did not intend to respond to a number of legal letters and public statements criticising him for the way he handled the appearance of Zuma before the commission.

Political Bureau

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